The Murder of Richard Jennings: The True Story of Sugar Loaf's Famous Murder for Hire

The brutal murder of Richard Jennings in December of 1818 gained national notoriety. Five local people plotted to murder Jennings over a disputed parcel of land. A quick unraveling of the conspiracy led to their arrest, and future President Martin Van Buren assisted in prosecuting the case. Two of the men ended up in prison and two faced the hangman before a crowd of almost 20,000. Author Michael J. Worden, a police detective, will present the unfolding of this sensational trial and its aftermath as presented in his book, The Murder of Richard Jennings: The True Story of New York's First Murder for Hire. Copies of the book will be available for purchase. Open to all area adults and teens. Snow date is Feb. 2.